2 October 2007
Basra province could be handed over to full Iraqi control within the next two months, Gordon Brown said on his first visit to Iraq as PM.
UK troops would then move from a combat role to a state of "overwatch", allowing 1,000 UK troops to return home. Britain currently has 5,000 troops based at Basra Airport following their pull-out from Basra Palace.
Speaking to journalists in Baghdad, Mr Brown said that he was "very proud" of what UK troops have achieved.
"I believe they’ve acted with great courage and professionalism and bravery, and I believe their contribution to democracy in Iraq has been something to make us all proud.
"We will discharge our obligations to the Iraqi people and to the international community and we will discharge our obligations to our armed forces, who are doing this difficult job."
Officials have been encouraged that there has been no deterioration of the security situation in Basra since the UK withdrawal. Moving to "overwatch" means that British troops will carry out mentoring and training of Iraqi forces rather than patrolling themselves.
Mr Brown landed in Bagdhad earlier today for talks with senior Iraqi politicians, including Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki. He is also due to meet the US commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus.
The PM will then travel to Basra to meet UK commanders and troops at Basra Airport.
Last month, Mr Brown announced plans to increasingly hand over responsibility for security in the south of the country, meaning that the UK could hand over control of Basra Palace to the Iraqi Government.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the UK would still "meet our responsibilities" and "honour our obligations" in Iraq. He paid tribute to the armed forces serving in the region, "who are playing their part with courage and professionalism".
- PM lands in Iraq for talks
- Iraqis will take greater security role - PM
- International section
- Operations in Iraq (new window)
Image copyright: Reuters
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